The Psalms of David Part 6

2 Shall I for ever be forgot As one whom thou regardest not?

Still shall my soul thine absence mourn?

And still despair of thy return?

3 How long shall my poor troubled breast Be with these anxious thoughts opprest?

And Satan, my malicious foe, Rejoice to see me sunk so low.

4 Hear, Lord, and grant me quick relief, Before my death conclude my grief; If thou withhold thy heavenly light, I sleep in everlasting night.

5 How will the powers of darkness boast, If but one praying soul be lost!

But I have trusted in thy grace, And shall again behold thy face.

6 Whate'er my fears or foes suggest, Thou art my hope, my joy, my rest; My heart shall feel thy love, and raise My cheerful voice to songs of praise.

Psalm 13:2. C. M.

Complaint under temptations of the devil.

1 How long wilt thou conceal thy face?

My G.o.d, how long delay?

When shall I feel those heavenly rays That chase my fears away?

2 How long shall my poor labouring soul Wrestle and toil in vain?

Thy word can all my foes control, And ease my raging pain.

3 See how the prince of darkness tries All his malicious arts, He spreads a mist around my eyes, And throws his fiery darts.

4 Be thou my sun and thou my s.h.i.+eld, My soul in safety keep; Make haste before mine eyes are seal'd In death's eternal sleep.

5 How would the tempter boast aloud If I become his prey!

Behold the sons of h.e.l.l grow proud At thy so long delay.

6 But they shall fly at thy rebuke, And Satan hide his head; He knows the terrors of thy look And hears thy voice with dread.

7 Thou wilt display that sovereign grace, Where all my hopes have hung; I shall employ my lips in praise, And victory shall be sung.

Psalm 14:1. First Part.

By nature all men are sinners.

1 Fools in their hearts believe and say, "That all religion's vain, "There is no G.o.d that reigns on high, "Or minds th' affairs of men."

2 From thoughts so dreadful and profane Corrupt discourse proceeds; And in their impious hands are found Abominable deeds.

3 The Lord, from his celestial throne Look'd down on things below, To find the man that sought his grace, Or did his justice know.

4 By nature all are gone astray, Their practice all the same; There's none that fears his Maker's hand, There's none that loves his name.

5 Their tongues are us'd to speak deceit, Their slanders never cease; How swift to mischief are their feet, Nor knew the paths of peace.

6 Such seeds of sin (that bitter root) In every heart are found; Nor can they bear diviner fruit, Till grace refine the ground.

Psalm 14:2. Second Part.

The folly of persecutors.

1 Are sinners now so senseless grown That they thy saints devour?

And never wors.h.i.+p at thy throne, Nor fear thine awful power?

2 Great G.o.d appear to their surprise, Reveal thy dreadful name; Let them no more thy wrath despise, Nor turn our hope to shame.

3 Dost thou not dwell among the just?

And yet our foes deride, That we should make thy name our trust; Great G.o.d, confound their pride.

4 O that the joyful day were come To finish our distress!

When G.o.d shall bring his children home, Our songs shall never cease.

Psalm 15:1. C. M.

Characters of a saint; or, a citizen of Zion; or, The qualifications of a Christian.

1 Who shall inhabit in thy hill, O G.o.d of holiness?

Whom will the Lord admit to dwell So near his throne of grace?

2 The man that walks in pious ways, And works with righteous hands; That trusts his Maker's promises, And follows his commands.

3 He speaks the meaning of his heart, Nor slanders with his tongue; Will scarce believe an ill report, Nor do his neighbour wrong.

4 The wealthy sinner he contemns, Loves all that fear the Lord: And tho' to his own hurt he swears, Still he performs his word.

5 His hands disdain a golden bribe, And never gripe the poor; This man shall dwell with G.o.d on earth, And find his heaven secure.

Psalm 15:2. L. M.

Religion and justice, goodness and truth; or, Duties to G.o.d and man; or, The qualifications of a Christian.

1 Who shall ascend thy heavenly place, Great G.o.d, and dwell before thy face?

The man that minds religion now, And humbly walks with G.o.d below:

2 Whose hands are pure, whose heart is clean, Whose lips still speak the thing they mean; No slanders dwell upon his tongue; He hates to do his neighbour wrong.

3 [Scarce will he trust an ill report, Nor vents it to his neighbour's hurt: Sinners of state he can despise, But saints are honour'd in his eyes.]

4 [Firm to his word he ever stood, And always makes his promise good; Nor dares to change the thing he swears, Whatever pain or loss he bears.]

5 [He never deals in bribing gold, And mourns that justice should be sold: While others gripe and grind the poor, Sweet charity attends his door.]

6 [He loves his enemies, and prays For those that curse him to his face; And doth to all men still the same That he would hope or wish from them.]

7 Yet when his holiest works are done, His soul depends on grace alone; This is the man thy face shall see, And dwell for ever Lord, with thee.